Tri Delta Transit is excited to announce Youth Ride Free 2026. This program, funded by County Supervisor Burgis and County Supervisor Scales-Preston, provides FREE rides for ages 18 and under from June 1st-July 31st on Tri Delta Transit fixed and express route buses. Tri MyRide and paratransit are not included. No fares, no applications, no ID, no passes are needed. So, enter your travel era and ride to jobs, summer program, entertainment, school and more.
Tri Delta Transit se complace en anunciar el programa Youth Ride Free 2026 o Los Jóvenes Viajan Gratis 2026. Este programa es financiado por las Supervisoras del Condado de Contra Costa, Supervisora de el Distrito 3, Diane Burgis y Supervisora de el Distrito 5, Shanelle Scales-Preston.
Youth Ride Free 2026/Los Jóvenes Viajan Gratis 2026 ofrece viajes GRATIS para personas de 18 años o menos empezando desde el 1 de junio hasta el 31 de julio en los autobuses de rutas fijas y expresas de Tri Delta Transit. Tri MyRide y el servicio de paratránsito no están incluidos en este programa.
No se necesitan tarifas, aplicaciones, identificación, ni pases. ¡Así que incia tu era de viajes, ya sea viaja a trabajos, programas de verano, entretenimiento, la escuela y más!
Class of 2026 is largest graduating class in LMC history; to be held at Concord Pavilion
By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, Calif. — Los Medanos College (LMC) will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its 52nd Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Toyota Pavilion at Concord, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord, CA 94521.
This year marks the largest graduating class in the college’s history, with 1,623 students earning a total of 2,755 awards. Graduates will receive a range of credentials, including 48 noncredit certificates awarded to 35 students, 1,075 certificates of achievement, and more than 1,640 Associate Degrees of Science and Arts. The Class of 2026 reflects the rich diversity of the community, with graduates ranging in age from 16, two of the youngest recipients, to 71, the college’s two eldest scholars.
The Class of 2026 represents significant growth for the institution, increasing 19.4% from 1,358 graduates in 2025 to the largest cohort to date. Total awards are up 21.5% over the 2,266 awards given last year. The certificates of achievement increased 54% this year from 698 in 2025, and associate degrees saw a 19.8% boost over 1,398 from the prior year. These milestone underscore Los Medanos College’s expanding role in providing accessible, high-quality higher education and career training opportunities across the region.
“Our ceremony highlights the transformative role that higher education and career training play in shaping students’ futures, while strengthening our community,” LMC President Pamela Ralston said. “Graduates will cross the stage representing a wide spectrum of academic pathways and career goals, including transfer-bound scholars and workforce-ready professionals.”
Source: LMC
This year’s ceremony will feature two student speakers whose stories reflect the spirit and mission of Los Medanos College:
Benjamin N. Osborn, a founding member and president of RISE, LMC’s support program for students who have experienced the justice system, will deliver a graduate address. Osborn is also a representative of the Berkeley Underground Scholars program at LMC and leads the nonprofit “From Shackles to Scholarships,” advocating for educational access and second chances. His journey exemplifies perseverance and the transformative impact of education.
Maria Guadalupe Mendoza, an honors student, will also address the graduating class. Over the past three years, Mendoza has balanced her academic pursuits with extensive community service, volunteering with Kaiser Permanente in the mom-baby and labor and delivery units. She has also supported local communities through her work with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and Clean Start Homeless Outreach, demonstrating a deep commitment to service, compassion, and leadership.
Family members, friends, faculty, and community supporters are invited to attend and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026.
Ceremony Admission & Seating Information
The ceremony is general admission and no tickets are required to attend. There is NO RESERVED SEATING at the pavilion. The pavilion has wheelchair access with limited seating for people with disabilities. Designated ASL seating will be available in section 104 for guests who require sign language interpretation. Guests should arrive early for optimal seating.
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood. For more information visit www.losmedanos.edu.
After more than 20 years, the rodeo returns to the Contra Costa County Fair, this year, with Bulls and Broncs beginning 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026.
The Silver Bridge Rodeo Company brings the spirit of the West to life with world-class bull riding and broncs events that showcase the grit, skill, and courage of rodeo’s toughest athletes. From thunderous eight-second rides to airborne broncs and charging bulls!
General Admission is $19.00. Does not include Fair admission.
Rodeo Event Tickets sold separately online through Saffire Ticket by clicking, HERE.
The Contra Costa County Fair is held at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. For tickets and more information visit www.contracostafair.com.
Learn about the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition in Contra Costa County and throughout California as the Declaration of Independence was being signed
By LeighAnn Davis, Executive Director, Contra Costa County Historical Society
As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, land managers, historians, educators and civic leaders across the East Bay formed the East Bay Anza 250 Symposium committee dedicated to exploring a parallel milestone: the 250th anniversary of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition. This journey profoundly shaped California’s history and continues to influence our communities today.
Anza Expedition Map. Source: National Park Service
According to the National Park Service, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1,200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities including in Contra Costa County. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA. Whether urban or rural, the trail offers adventure, diverse cultural perspectives and an opportunity to experience history.
Painting by David Rickman. Courtesy of U.S. National Park Service
On June 27, 1776, as the Declaration of Independence was being signed in Philadelphia, the colonists of the Anza expedition arrived at their destination in what would become San Francisco. Both of these events would dramatically shape the cultural and political landscapes of the United States. In 2025 and 2026, the Anza Trail invites communities along the historic path of the 1775-76 colonizing expedition to commemorate the complicated and evermore fascinating history of the paths and events that make up this National Historic Trail.
Third leg map of the Anza expedition shows campsites 99, 100 and 101 in Contra Costa County. Map created by Emanuel Delgado. Source: National Park Service
Campsites and Trail in Contra Costa County
A map of the Third Leg of the Anza Expedition shows three campsites in Contra Costa County with the Arroyo del Puerto Dulce campsite 99 in Rodeo, the Arroyo de Santa Ana del Flugino campsite 100 in Concord and the San Ricardo campsite 101 along the Antioch/Oakley border.
According to the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail website, “On April 1st (1776) the group camped at a small stream. Today, the campsite is at the conjunction of Parker and San Pablo Avenues and Rodeo Creek. A commemorative marker from the 1976 reenactment is on Parker Road between 4th and 6th Streets in front of the post office in the town of Rodeo.”
The Anza Expedition campsite 99 historic marker in Rodeo, campsite 100 historic marker in Concord and campsite 101 historic marker at the Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline. Photos by Andrew Ruppenstein. Source: The Historical Marker Database HMdb.org
The East Bay Anza 250 Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9AM-4PM and is a collaborative gathering that explores the expedition’s impact on the East Bay, honors Indigenous legacies, and fosters dialogue about how this history informs our present.
The symposium will include:
Live Performances
Keynote Speakers
Panel Discussions that Dive into the History, Teaching, and Environmental Impacts of the Expedition.
An Exhibit Hall Filled with Cultural Exhibitions and Displays
Symposium registration is $30 for General Admission and $20 for students and seniors.
Lunch is included in your registration fee if reserved before April 1st, 2026.
To register, please visit the Eventbrite site for Grassroots Poetry using the QR code.
Keynote Speakers: Our speaker series brings together a vibrant tapestry of voices to explore the multifaceted legacy of the Anza Expedition. By pairing the scholarly insights of local historians and naturalists with the deeply personal narratives of expedition descendants, we aim to provide an inclusive history that honors the trail’s complex past.
Panel Discussions: Join our interdisciplinary panels, featuring local historians, expert naturalists, and descendants of the expedition, for a compelling look at the impact of Anza 250 years later. These sessions bring together diverse voices to explore the environmental, cultural, and personal history of the trail, offering a unique, in-depth, and engaging perspective on this historic journey.
Exhibit Hall: Our Exhibit Hall is a testament to the power of community partnership. The exhibit hall is a collaborative space showcasing exhibits and information from local historical societies and land management agencies. Connect with local experts in this dedicated space for a deeper, context-rich understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the Anza Trail.
Event Information:
The Event is Saturday, April 11th, 2026, from 9AM until 4PM with a lunch break at noon. An optional walk will take place along the trail that intersects with the LMC campus at 8AM. All members of the community are invited to join us and enjoy the speakers, poets and music guests!
We encourage all symposium attendees to consider alternate ways to get to campus. You can bike, walk, carpool or take public transportation. If you plan to arrive by car, parking is free on the day of the event. More information about how to get to campus here: LMC Transportation and Parking Information
Thank you to all our partners for your support:
Grassroots Poetry
Independent Arts and Media
Los Medanos College Honors Program
National Park Service
Anza Trail Foundation
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
Contra Costa County Historical Society
Museum of the San Ramon Valley
For more information contact Dwayne Eubanks, Chair East Bay Anza 250 Symposium at EastBayAnza@gmail.com.
This event is brought to you by Grassroots Poetry and Los Medanos Honors Program and fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts Media, a 501(c)3 organization.
In response to allegations against the late farm workers’ union leader
By Juliet V. Casey Geary, Director of Marketing & Media Design, Los Medanos College
Greetings from Los Medanos College,
In light of recent news concerning César Chávez and allegations of abuse of women and minors, Los Medanos College (LMC) is reorienting the awards that honored his legacy to focus instead on the collective work and values that are being recognized to strengthen community, social justice, labor rights and leadership. Since 1995, LMC has honored generations of activists, service providers, educators, students and more. We are proud of that tradition and will continue to honor the leaders born out of East Contra Costa County’s agricultural community. This year we will offer La Fuerza del Pueblo: Farmworkers’ Movement Legacy Awards.
Honorees will receive recognition at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, in the Student Union Conference Center, 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg. La Fuerza del Pueblo in English means the power of the people. This event recognizes community members who stand as models of service, activism and non-violent social change. This year’s award categories include:
Exemplary Community Service
For long-standing commitment to service to others, sacrifice, helping the most needy, determination, non-violence, acceptance of all people, respect for life and the environment, celebrating community, knowledge, and innovation.
East County Educator Award
For demonstrating a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students of color and those from low-income families.
La Fuerza del Pueblo Spirit Award
For emerging/student leader(s) who embodies the spirit of the movement, and who within the past year, made a significant impact on the local community in the areas of advocacy and social justice.
Legacy Award Values
Service to Others: Empowering individuals by engendering self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-help, rather than charity.
Sacrifice: Recognizing the obligation every individual has to contribute to their community, despite having to endure great hardship.
Help the Most Needy: Supporting efforts to reach those in need, those dispossessed, and those most forgotten individuals.
Determination: Instilling an attitude that through steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism, people can overcome great adversity.
Non-violence: Achieving social and economic justice and equality through bold and courageous action.
Tolerance: Promoting and supporting ethnic and cultural diversity as a means toward informing and strengthening communities.
Respect for Life: Holding land, people, and all other forms of life in the highest regard.
Celebrating Community: Sharing expressions of cultural identity through art, song and dance.
Knowledge: Pursuing self-directed learning, the development of critical thinking, and constructive problem-solving.
Innovation: Creating strategies and tactics to resolve problems and situations that often seem insurmountable.
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
By Juliet V. Casey Geary, Director of Marketing & Media Design, Los Medanos College
We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 César Chávez Awards is open. The awards celebrate the life of labor leader and human rights activist César Chávez and recognize East Contra Costa County community members who follow his example of service, activism and non-violent social change.
Nomination form and event details are available on the event web page. Nomination deadline is Wednesday, March 11.
Save the date for the awards ceremony, which this year will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3 in the Student Union at the LMC Pittsburg Campus, 2700 E. Leland Road. The event is free and open to the public, though space is limited.
Values of César Chávez:
Service to Others: Empowering individuals by engendering self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-help, rather than charity.
Sacrifice: Recognizing the obligation every individual has to contribute to their community, despite having to endure great hardship.
Help the Most Needy: Supporting efforts to reach those in need, those dispossessed, and those most forgotten individuals.
Determination: Instilling an attitude that through steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism, people can overcome great adversity.
Non-violence: Achieving social and economic justice and equality through bold and courageous action.
Tolerance: Promoting and supporting ethnic and cultural diversity as a means toward informing and strengthening communities.
Respect for Life: Holding land, people, and all other forms of life in the highest regard.
Celebrating Community: Sharing expressions of cultural identity through art, song and dance.
Knowledge: Pursuing self-directed learning, the development of critical thinking, and constructive problem-solving.
Innovation: Creating strategies and tactics to resolve problems and situations that often seem insurmountable.
Awards recognize recipients in the following categories:
César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service
The César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service recognizes a local resident who demonstrates a long-standing commitment to service and who best represents the core values modeled by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge and Innovation.
East County Educator Award
The César Chávez East County Educator Award recognizes a member of the educational community who demonstrates the qualities of César Chávez and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students of color and those from low-income families.
Chávez Spirit Award
The César Chávez Spirit Award recognizes an emerging student leader who embodies the spirit of César Chávez and who within the past year affected change in the areas of advocacy and social justice.
About Los Medanos College (LMC):LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
